Excursion Sights of colombo with high tea tour at Colombo
Cruise line: SilverseaDifficulty:
Colombo, capital and major port of Sri Lanka, is a fascinating city that links the past with the present. Its tangible history is a unique mix of relics of Portuguese, Dutch and English settlement, blended with Indian influences.
Colombo sightseeing
Depart the port, past the commercial district of the city, and through the Pettah bazaar area. The views are more peaceful when driving past Vihara Mahadevi Park, now renamed for a Sinhalese queen. It was called Victoria Park when it was created by the British as a botanical garden for tropical species. Across the street is the imposing neo-classical Town Hall.
A former cinnamon plantation is now the upscale residential district of Cinnamon Gardens, with the University and most embassies in colonial mansions lining lovely, shaded avenues. Cruise through some of these streets and enjoy their elegance and serenity.
On Galle Face Green Colombo high society once strolled, to see and be seen by those who mattered, against the backdrop of the neo-classical facades of the Colombo Club and the Galle Face Hotel. Today there are joggers who talk politics and business as they run, and there may be kite flyers trying to catch a breeze. The hotel is still there, as it has been since 1864, enjoying the oceanfront view, and still laying claim to its position as the first hotel in Asia.
Shopping Complex and High-Tea
End your drive at one of Colombo's oldest heritage site, now refurbished in to a high-end shopping complex - the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct. You'll have some time at leisure to explore for souvenirs.
Before returning to the pier and the ship, make one last stop at the legendary Galle Face Hotel for high-tea.
Points of interests
Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Colombo, Souvenirs Shopping, High-Tea at Galle Face Hotel
Note
Please note: This tour requires a minimal amount of walking for approximately 200 yards (180 meters) and a few steps at the sites. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Vehicles used are the best available in the city; they are not of the same standards as vehicles found in Western countries. Souvenir shops accept cash in US Dollars, Pounds, Euros and local currency. Credit cards are accepted at some, but not all shops.